A glance at my bookcase will tell you many things about me. One, I have a serious book addiction. Two, I love historical fiction and poetry. And three, I do not read much outside of that genre. However, this year I have been trying to try new genres.
I noticed several romance and/or fiction books recommended on BookTok, and I decided to give them a try. This is a list of the books I read this month and my opinions on them. Again, consider that I am not a huge romance/fiction reader.
- Beautiful World, Where Are You by Dolly Alderton
After reading Everything I Know About Love by Alderton a few months ago, I fell completely in love with her writing style. Her honest, funny, and simple yet beautiful style felt almost comforting to read.
When I found out that her first novel (since her previous book was nonfiction) was coming out, I knew that I needed to read it. I went into it not knowing much about what I’d find other than having read a few quotes online. But wow! It was a beautiful, touching read.
It is a not only a novel but also a journey of self-acceptance from the narrator’s perspective. As a woman in her early-twenties, a writer, and someone who is highly ambitious, I related to Alice– the main character, a lot.
2. The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
This is the only book I read this month that is not a romance novel. I would classify it as self-help disguised as fiction. The main character, Nora, attempts to commit suicide. In this world, there is a place between life and death called “midnight library.” Here, every book contains a possible life Nora could have lived if she would have taken different decisions.
As someone who loves to talk and consider the possibility of parallel universes, this was a very interesting read. While the story is entertaining and catching, it also makes you consider your own life– and each of the little choices that led you to where you are now.
After visiting the library, Nora has to choose whether she still wants to die or if she wants to live.
3. Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover
This book is 100% romance, leaning towards a young adult read. This is perhaps the perfect embodiment of a fun, summer read. While I am not a huge romance fan because sometimes I believe some books lack substance (don’t hate me for saying that!), I still enjoyed this book.
The plot itself is very engaging. It follows the story of a girl in her twenties who falls in love with a man who wants nothing to do with love– I know, very cliche. But there is a little more emotional complexity by the end of the book.
Some chapters are written as poems which is something I didn’t necessarily enjoy since they were not poems, but rather prose written in verse form. Regardless, this is still a book I would recommend if you are looking for a fun read.
4. Beach Read by Emily Henry
As I am writing this, I still have a few more pages to go before finishing this book, but since I am almost done, I decided to add it either way.
This is another one of the books that I will identify as romance at its core. However, unlike Ugly Love, the story felt a little slow at times. The plot and characters are interesting, but it lacked something in my opinion.
I have heard so many goods things about Beach Read, and since it focuses on two writers experiencing writer’s block, I thought I would be able to relate more– but it wasn’t the case.
Even though this is the order in which I read them, I believe this order also represents how I’d rate them from most to least favorite.
